Bow supporting and clamping device.



H. B. WHITE.

BOW SUPPORTING AND CLAMPING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED 050.29.1911.

1 ,27 9, 94 Patented Sept. 17, 1918.

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H. B. WHITE.

BOW SUPPORTING AND CLAMPING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED DEC-29.1917.

Patented Sept. 17, 1918.

2 SHEETSSHEET 2.

smrns well HARRY B. -WHITE, OF- CANTON,"0HIO,'ASSIG1\TOR T0 THE-GILIZIAM MANUFACTURING- COMPANY,*OF CANTON, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

BOW'SUPPORTING AND CLAMPING DEVICE.

To all whom it may concern:

Be-it known that I, HARRY 13. WHITE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Canton,'in-'the county of Star k-and State of Ohio, haveinvented a new-and useful Im-' provement in Bow Supporting and Clamping Devices, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relatesparticularly to bow supporting andelamping devices of-a character suited for use on automobiles; and the primary object is to provide adevice of this character, which is of improved construction, and operation.

The invention is illustrated, in the preferred embodiment thereof, in the accompanying drawings, in \vhich Figure 1 represents a side (rear or front) elevational view of a bow-supporting and clampingdevice embodying the invention; Fig. 2, a vertical sectional view of the device in open c0nditi0n, the section being taken as indicated at line Qof-Fig. 3 Fig. 3, a broken sectional viewtakennsindicated at line 8 of Fig. l Fig. 4, a bottom end view-of the device; Fig. 5, broken plan view; 'Fig.'6,-a plan view showing the upper portion of the fixed armor body-carried stock of the device; Fig. 7, an innenend view oftherollerequipped clamping lever-employed; Fig. 8, an inner faceview of the same; Fig. 9, a sectional view of the fixed bar, orstock, and the swinging clamping arm, the section being taken as indicated at line-9 of Fig. 1, and theview showing these parts before assembly Fig. 10, a View ofthe pivot which connectsthe swinging arm to the stock, showing' one end of the pivot deformed preparatory to casting-same in the lower end of the stockyand Fig. l1, a broken verticalsectional view taken ='a s'indicated at line '11 of Fig. 1, this view showing the manner in which the pivotal connection between the stock and swinging arm is'completed.

\ In the preferred embodiment, which is illustrated, A represents a fixed arm, or stock. equipped at an intermediate point withbody-attachingmeans A B, a swinging arm or bow-clamping member, having Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented'Sept. 1'7, 1918.

Application filed Decenrber'29, 1917. Serial No. 209,403.

and adapted to secure the bow-clamping arm to the stock in'the manner illustrated in Fig. 1.

The principal parts of the device, which have been mentioned, are preferably-formed from malleable cast iron. 7

The stock A is adapted to be-securedto a body-iron with which the automobile body is equipped. The device A for effecting this purpose, comprises a ring l'cast integrally with either-the rear or front surface o-fthe arm A, and a setscrew 2 which eX- tends through the wall of the ring, and is adapted to engage the body-iron which the bore 3 of the ring is adapted to receive. The bore 3 is provided at its inner sidewith a 'V-shaped recess, which is adapted to afford bearings at the points 3*. The inner end of the-set-screw 2 is opposed to the V shaped recess, so that the set-screw and the two points 3 will afford a three-point bearing for a round iron entered in the openh1g3. This construction is adapted to give a'more secure connection with the body-iron than can be secured by using a round opening and a set-screw, which would afford only a two=point contact, sincethe body-iron is of necessity smaller than the opening 3.

'Fig. 3 showsthefront, or inner sideof the stock A. The opposite side, which is adjacent'the automobile body, may be termed the back side of the stock.

The stock has at its lower end an outwardly-curved portion 4, equipped with an ear or pivot-lug which, as appears from Figs. 4 and 9, is of approximatelyone-half of the thickness (from front'to rear) of the stock, In the ear 4 'is cast one end of a steel pivot-pin 5. The end of the pin 5 which is cast in the metal is deformed, as indicated at 5 (Fig. 10), so that the pin will be more securely embedded in the metal. The deformities 5 may be made in a'punch-press,

or in any suitable manner.

"The'swinging arm, or bow-clamping member, B, has its lower end curved inwardly, as indicated at 6, and the portion 6 is provided with an eye, or perforated pivot-portion, 6 which matches the pivot-portion 4e and receives the pin, or pivot-stud, 5.- The perforation 6 in the pivot-lug 6 may be pending lug, or stop, 4*, which is adapted to engage a shoulder 6 (Fig. 2), with which the part 6 is provided, thus limiting the outward swing of the bow-clampingmember B.

The bow-clamping member B has its upper end-portion curved inwardly or toward the automobile-body, as indicated at 7, (Fig. 1); and this part is extended to provide a horizontal arm 7 which terminates in furcations 7", adapted to embrace the upper end of the stock A, and accommodate the clamping lever C. r

The upper portion of the stock A is provided with a reduced extension 8, which preferably is tapered, as shown. The extension 8 is provided with a bearing surface, or track, 8, which preferably inclines forwardly and upwardly The inner surface of the upper endof the stock is provided with a recess 8", in which is housed a leafspring 9. The spring 9 has its lower endportion secured in the lower end of the recess 8 by means of lugs 8", which are cast integrally with the stock, and which are bent in against the spring after the spring is inserted in the recess. The stock being of malleable iron, enables this expedient to be employed as a means for securing the spring in its socket.

The spring 9 is provided some distance below its upper end with a projection 9 which is adapted to be engaged by a central lug, or hearing, 7, with which the arm 7 is'equipped at the base of the slot. between the furcations 7". j

The clamping lever C preferably is a bellcrank lever comprising a main arm affording 'a handle 10'; a short arm comprising furcations 10; pivots 10 which project ou wardly from the furcations of the short arm, at the junction of the short arm with the arm 10; and an anti-friction roller 10, which is j ournaled in the extremities of the furcations 10 forming the short arm of the bellcrank-lever. The web 10 between the furcations 10 is cut away sufficiently to give pivots 10 The perforations are cored in casting the arm B. It will be noted that the furcations 10 of the bell-crank lever C are.

disposedbetween the furcations 7? of the arm B (Fig. 5) the armB being of malleable iron, enables the furcations 7 to be spread apart sufliciently to enable the pivotstuds 10 to be entered, whereupon the furcations 7 are closed so as to embrace the furcations 10 of the clamping leverG. It

will be understood that in Fig. 2 the clamping lever O is not. shown in section, so that the space between the furcations 10 cannot be seen in Fig. 2. However, as will be understood from Fig. 5, the space between the furcations 10 is sufficient to enable the pivot-portions of the furcated bell-crank lever to pass freely the reduced extension 8 of the stock. I j

It. will be understood from Fig. 1 that the curved lower end-portions 4 and 6 of the stock and the swinging arm cooperate to form'a support for the lower bow of the automobile top. The swinging arm may be of any desired form, of course. In the illustration given, the curved portions 6 and 7 are equipped with linings lland 12. The

' curvatures may be. of such form as to par-' tially embrace the top and lower bows, if desired; and any suitable lining may be provided for the bow-clamping arm.

The manner of use of the device will be readily understood. Assuming the bow-supporting and clamping devices to be in the open condition illustrated in Fig; 2, the top may be clashed and the bows thereof will pass freely over the upper end of the stock portions A. The swinging arm Bmay then be swung inwardly and the clamping lever C may be turned about the pivots 10 till the handle 10 assumes approximately a vertical standing position, with the roller 10 engaging the back surface of the upper end of the extension 8. The clamping lever C may then be swung toward the automobile-body and downwardly to bring the parts to the position shown in' Fig. 1. It will be understood that the arm B may be actuated through quite a wide range of movement by means of the clamping lever, which thusoperates to draw the arm B up to a position parallel with thestock A, and finally to effectually clamp the swinging arm to the. fixed arm. In this operation, the anti-friction roller 10 rolls down the inclined surface 8*, and then rolls upwardly again; and as the pressure becomes stronger, the upward bevel of the surface 8 facilitates the actuation of the clamping lever. In the clamping action, the small projection, or bearing, 7 of the arm B compresses the'leaf-spring 9; and by the time the handle 10 of the clamping lever engages the rear surface of the stock A, as

shown in Fig. 1, the axisofthe roller 10 haspassed above the dead center with reference to the pivots 10*, so that any opening pressure exerted upon the bow-clamping arm tends more effectually to lock the lever lVhen the top is in the elevated position, the bow-supporting and clamping device is, nevertheless, secure against rattling, owing to the force exerted by the spring 9. Moreover, the depending handle 10 of the clamping lever tends to hold the parts in locked position, owing to the action of gravity upon the bell-crank lever. The device described is simple in construction, neat inappearance, and may beoperated with great facility. It may be noted here that the operator, in swinging the bell-crank lever C'to the position shown in Fig. 1, may with his thumbs engage the top bow, and by a closing action of the fingers readily force the clamping lever to the locked position. The shape of the handle 10, which projects past the'stock in the manner shown in Fig. 3, facilitates this action. In the opening operation, the operator may support his hands on the upper bow, and by pressing his thumbs against the projections of the handle, may force the'bellcrank lever to the open position, the natural expansive force of the top aiding to throw the device open as soon as the roller 10 has passed below the dead center in the unlocking operation.

It is noteworthy that the range of movement of the swinging arm B under the drawing action of the clamping lever is approxi mately twice the radius of the short arm of the bell-crank lever; also, that the use of ananti-friction member, or roller, enables the length of the actuating arm of the clamping lever to be reduced to a minimum. It is noteworthy, also, that mounting the clamping lever on a backward extension of the upper end of the bow-clamping arm, enables the clamping lever to bedisposed in the rear of the stock A and close to the automobile-body. This greatly enhances the appearance of the bow-supporting and clamping device. The various detailsof construction which have been described facilitates the production of a device of neat appearance at very moderate cost.

. track.

The foregoing detailed description has been given for clearness of understanding only, and no unnecessary limitations should be understood therefrom, but the appended claims should be-construed as broadly as permissible, in view of the prior art.

What I regard as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In a device of the character set forth, the combination of a stock equipped with body-attaching means, a bow-clamping member having its lower endpivotally connected with the lower end of said stock and having its upper end equipped with a projection adapted to project past said stock, and a clamping-lever mounted on a transverse pivot carried by said projection and adapted to operate against the back surface of said stock and clampingly secure said clampingmemberto said stock.

2. In a device of the character set forth, the combination of a stock, a swinginglymounted bow-clamping member carried thereby, and a bell-crank clamping-lever having its elbow-portion pivotally mounted on a transverse pivot carried by said bowclamping member and having'an arm adapted to travel on the back surface of said stock.

3. In a device of the character set forth, the combination of a stock, having its upper end provided with a track surface, a'swingin bow-clam in arm )ivotall connected pivotally connected with the lower end-portion of said stock and having its upper endportion equlpped wlth an extension adapted to project past the upper end of said stock,

and a clampmg-lever mounted on said eX- tension to swing in a plane parallel with the plane of said stock and bow-clamping arm and equipped with a roller adapted to travel longitudinally of said stock on said track I surface.

5. In a device of the character set forth,

the combination of a stock having its upper portionprovided with a track, a bow-clamping arm pivotally connected to said stock, and a clamp ng-lever-carried by said. bowclamping arm and adapted: to swing in a.

plane parallel with the plane of said stock and bow-clamping arm and equipped. with anti-friction means adapted to travel on. said 6. In a device of the character set forth,

the combination of a stock having its upper end equipped with a reduced extension, a

arme ni Jed with an anti-friction member adapted to engage the extension of said stock. I

8. Ina device of the character set forth, the combination of a stock having its upper end equipped with a reduced extension, a

1 bow-clamping arm pivotally connected to said stock and having a furcated extension adapted to embrace the extension of said stock, and a bel1-crank clamping-lever mounted in said furcated extension and having a furcated arm equipped with an antifriction member adapted to engage the extension of said stock. 7

9. In a device of the character set forth, the combination of a stock equipped with body-attaching means, a bow-clamping arm pivotally mounted on said stock and having its upper end equipped with an extension adapted to project back of the stock, and a bell-crank lever mounted on said extension and having a short arm adapted to engage the upper portion of the stock and a longer arm adapted to engage the back surface of the stock at a lower point.

10. In a device of the character set forth, the combination of a stock equipped with body attaching means, a swinging bowclamping arm mounted on said stock, a bellcrank clamping-lever adapted to engage the back surface of the stock, and means carried by the upper end of the bow-clamping mem ber and including a transverse pivot serving to support said bell-crank clamping-lever,

1-1. In a device of the character set forth, the combination of a stock equipped with body-attaching means and having its upper end provided with a forwardly and up- Wardly-inclined surface, a bow-clamping arm pivotally' connected with said stock,

and a clamping-lever mounted on a transverse pivot on the upper end of said arm and having a member adapted to travel longitudinally on said inclined surface in the clamping operation.

12. In a device of the character set forth, the combination of a stock equipped with body-attaching means, a bow-clamping arm pivotally connected with said stock and having its upper endequipped Withan extension, a Iclamping-levernwunted on said extension and adapted to engage the back surface .of said stock, and a spring interposed between said stock and extension, said spring tending to force said bow-clamping arm away fromsaid stock. I

13. .In a device of the character set forth,

the combination of astock equipped with I body-attaching means, a spring mounted in the upper portion of said stock, a bowclamping arm p'ivotally connected with said stock and equipped with an extension provided With a bearing adapted to press against said 1 spring,; andja clamping-lever mounted on said extension and adapted to engage the back surface of the upper portion of said stock.

14. In a device of the character set forth, the combination of a stock equipped with body-attaching means, said stock having its upper portion equipped on its front side with a spring and provided on itsback side with a bearing surface, a bow-clamping arm pivotally connected with'said stock and having its upper end provided with an extension and having a bearing adapted to press against said spring, and aclamping-lever pivotally mounted on said extension and having a member adapted to travel on said bearing. I

15. In a device of the character set forth, the combination of a stock, a bow-clamping lever pivotally mounted thereon, one of said members being provided at its upper portion with a recess and lugs adjacent said recess, a spring confined in said recess and secured by said lugs, the other member having a bearing adapted to impinge against said spring, and a clamping-lever carried by one of said members and adapted to force said members together against the resistance of said spring. I

16. In a deviceof the character set forth, the combination of a stock equipped with body-attaching means and having its upper end, provided at its front surface With a recess, a leaf-spring secured in said recess, a bow-clamping arm having its lower end pivotally connected to the lower end of said stock and having its upper end equipped with an extension provided with a bearing adapted to impinge against said spring,

and a clamping-lever mounted on said ex- 7 tension and adapted to engage the back surface of the upper portion of said stock.

17 L In a device of the character set forth, the combination of a stock equipped with body-attaching means, a bow-clamping arm having its lower end pivotally connected with the lower end of said stock, and a clamping-lever supported on the upper end of said bowclamping arm and disposed back of the upper end-portion ofsaid stock in the closed position of the device, said nected members adapted to confine the bows clamping-lever comprising a bearing porbetween'them, a clamping-lever carried by 1 tion adapted to travel on the upper end of one of said members and having a furcated said stock and a Wide handle-portion Which portion provided With slots, and a roller 5 projects past both the front and rear surhaving journals confined in said slots by the faces of the upper portion of the stock. metal forming the Walls thereof.

18. In a device of the character set-forth, V the combination of a pair of hingedly-con- HARRY B. WHITE.

Copies 0! this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of ratents,

' Washington, D. G. 

